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Visitor information

Visiting the Centre

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre occupies an extensive site in rolling Buckinghamshire countryside. There is so much to see and do! Exhibits range from large express passenger locomotives to the humble shunting engine together with a host of smaller items recreating the golden age of steam. Check our events programme to see what is happening on the day of your planned visit – steam trains operate on certain days and others are devoted to various special events.

We have three types of Open Day:

Special Events: See 'Special Events' or 'Calendar' on the top options bar for more information on these and to find out when they are.

Steaming Days: This is when we have a full-size steam train in action, ready to take you for a ride! We also have miniature ride-on steam trains. These are run by our sister Society VAMES, and there is a small charge for this. Steaming Days are every Sunday (Easter-Halloween), and also Wednesdays during school holidays.

Static Days: This is when the site is open, but no steam trains or rides will be running. These days are much quieter and ticket prices are lower. We are open for static viewing on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (however, during the school holidays Wednesdays become Steaming Days!) The cafe is only open for snacks (crisps/chocolate/biscuits) and self-service drinks (hot and cold) on these days. The shop is open.

Our cafe and gift shop are fully open on all Steaming and Special Event days.

If you have any questions or require more information about the Centre please do telephone 01296 655720 or email office@bucksrailcentre.org. Please do call us before travelling if you are unsure of what will be open/running on the day you want to visit.

Length of visit

Depending on your level of interest and the nature of the event being held on a particular day you can expect to cover all the principal areas in 2-2.5 hours but there's plenty to interest you if you have more time available. Many people come and spend the whole day - especially at our Special Events!

Many of the exhibits are displayed under cover so the Centre is a truly all-weather attraction!

How to get here

Watch out for the brown signs above off the A41 near Waddesdon and the A413 at Whitchurch.

By Car

SatNav postcode: HP22 4BY

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre is on the outskirts of Quainton, a village situated half way between Bicester and Aylesbury just off the A41, and south of Buckingham. Watch out for our brown railway attraction signs off the A41 near Waddesdon and the A413 at Whitchurch. If you are coming from Aylesbury direction, due to lots of new housing developments which upset some SatNav systems, we advise you to remain on the A41 until you have driven through Waddesdon, then follow the signs.

Junctions 7, 8 and 9 of the M40 are all close by and the M1, M25, M4 and M40 network makes the Centre easily accessible from London, the South East and the Midlands. Ample free car parking is provided for cars and coaches.

By Bus

Unfortunately the bus service does not run on Sundays, but Red Rose bus service no. 16/17 bus runs from Aylesbury Bus Station to Quainton and back Monday-Saturday, so great for Special Event weekends like Day Out With Thomas www.redrosetravel.com. For bus information telephone Traveline on 0871 200 2233 and select England and South East on the menu.